A fledgling East Stroudsburg health clinic devoted to serving uninsured patients might benefit from a state proposal endorsed Tuesday by Gov. Tom Corbett.

Corbett's 2013-14 budget plan includes $5 million for such clinics, said state Sen. David Argall, R-29.

Argall is a co-sponsor of similar legislation that won approval Monday from the Public Health and Welfare Committee. The bill was approved by the state Senate last year with near unanimous support, but died when the full House failed to vote on it before the session ended.

"Anything we can do to encourage use of clinics rather than people going to emergency rooms," Argall said of the bill's intent. "That's the least efficient and most expensive form of medical care."

The Monroe County Family Health Center, on East Stroudsburg's Brown Street, closed its adult clinic last December due to the retirement of the sole part-time doctor and a lack of money.

The center — which serves lower-income residents based on ability to pay — continues to operate a dental and children's general medical clinics, while seeking a new doctor to reopen the adult clinic.

Alberto Cardelle, the family health center's board president, welcomed the possibility of state money.

"I applaud the effort. I think it's a great contribution," Cardelle said. "It seems as if, with certain provisions, maybe it would be a source of funding."

The center, which opened nearly two years ago, has had different interpretations of whether the East Stroudsburg location meets federal low-income guidelines that might be needed to qualify for the state money.

The center's application for federal health clinic funding — based on a combination of low-income residents and a shortage of doctors — was unsuccessful.

The Family Health Center is monitoring the state bill's progress through an alliance of Pennsylvania community health centers.